Reproduction
Tally Time: Preparing for Calving Season
By Sandy Johnson, Extension Beef Specialist, Kansas State University
The checklist below is designed to help you plan and prepare to improve the success of your calving season and weaned calf crop
•
Balance cow rations for adequate protein and energy
for increased third trimester and subsequent lactation
requirements. Group and feed cows by body condition
and age to the degree possible. Target body condition
for first calf heifers at calving of 5.5 to 6 and 5 to 5.5 for
mature cows.
• Develop sound vaccination program to prepare
the cow to produce high quality colostrum.
• Control lice and internal parasites.
• Plan for recording calving data and consider ways
to backup records.
• Make sure calving facilities are clean and in good repair
• Plan for ear tags, tattoos, scale or weight tape,
banding or castration.
• Check flashlights and other quality portable light sources.
• Check-list for calving assistance.
• OB chains, calf puller, OB gloves, OB lube (non-detergent
soap & water is one option), non-irritant antiseptic
(Betadine or Nolvasan), flank rope to lay cow down
• A cooler can be used to keep warm water in
calving barn if no other source available.
• Old towels or similar
•
Review basic treatment plans with local veterinarian
for retained placenta, calf scours, colostrum supplements
and ensure necessary treatments and supplies are on
hand or readily available. Include a
functional thermometer.
• Have on hand at least 2 clean and functional
esophageal tube feeders, clearly marked, one
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• Plan and watch for opportunities to collect colostrum from
within the herd. Date and freeze in quart sized plastic
bags for future use.
• If replacement calves are obtained from outside the
herd, plan for their isolation and testing before exposing
to entire herd.
•
Plan for severe weather; wind, freezing rain and blizzards
are not uncommon. Plan for correcting calf hypothermia.
Calf shelters should be in good repair, bedding on hand.
Plans for portable windbreaks and calf shelters are
available from your local extension office.
• Shift feeding to dusk or later to promote daytime calving
one week before anticipated start of calving season.
•
Develop standard operation procedures for calving and
providing assistance. Include list and contact information
for individuals who can provide more expertise
or assistance as required. The following are suggestions
on when to intervene.
•
You suspect cow has been in Stage 1 over 8 hours. Stage 1
characteristics; restlessness, pain, lies down and gets
up frequently, seeks isolation (signs more apparent
in first-calf heifers than mature cows).
Stage 2
• Water sack visible for 2 hours and cow is not trying
• Cow trying for over 30 minutes and no progress
is being made
• Cow has quit trying for over 15-20 minutes after
a period of progress
• Cow or calf showing excessive fatigue or stress
(swollen tongue or excessive bleeding)
• You can observe the calf presentation is other than
two front feet and head first.